Information

Has your Horse got Ringworm?

Ringworm is a common skin infection that is called by the fungus Microsporum and Trichophyton.

The most common misconception of ringworm is that it is caused by a worm.

Ringworm is highly contagious to not only horses but also to humans and is usually seen in younger horses. Ringworm is characterised by small circular areas of raised, dry or scabby skin lesions usually with hair loss. Ringworm can cause a severe itch on the skin and if not treated can spread all over the coat.

It is important that if your horse has been affected by ring worm that you control it quickly as it can spread quickly to other horses through contaminated grooming tools, bridals, clothing or infected stables.

The best way of treating ringworm in horses is to wash the affected area with an anti-fungal solution. Prior to washing the area the scabby layer of skin should be removed so the product can penetrate the area. We recommend using either Triocil medicated wash or betadine solution to wash and clean the area at least 2 – 3 times per week. Following this applying a thin layer of Potties green ointment to the affected area will help to soothe the itch and accelerate the recovery time. We recommend wearing protective gloves at all times when treating ringworm so that the infection is not passed from the horse to you.

If you are not sure if your horse is suffering from ringworm, its best to contact your local vet who will perform a skin scraping and check for the presence of ringworm fungi under a microscope.